Applied Psychology Curriculum

CompleteDegree@Simmons

The online BA in Applied Psychology curriculum covers the biological, cognitive, developmental, emotional, personal, and interpersonal aspects of the human experience, as well as the methodologies used to study them. Along the way, students in our online program gain a better understanding of themselves and others. Students also learn about the application of psychology to diverse fields and real-world challenges, with options for tailoring their program of study to their specific interests and career goals.

Key Content Areas

A Simmons education will prepare you to think and lead within your area of focus and beyond. Our undergraduate experience includes courses in a variety of key content areas — such as science, culture, social history, and the arts — that represent different ways of thinking about the world and approaching complex topics. These learning opportunities within and across disciplines prepare our graduates to solve a wide range of challenges in their lives, careers, and communities. 

Like many of our students who are continuing their academic journey with Simmons, you may have transferable credits that fulfill key content area requirements. Be sure to submit your academic transcripts for review — we accept up to 96 transfer credits. 

Program Requirements

Below are the Applied Psychology degree and major course requirements. As a student in this program, you will take four core courses and will choose six additional courses from a selection of course options in Psychology (at least three) and related disciplines. You will complete your degree of study with a capstone course, during which you’ll use what you’ve learned throughout the program by applying psychological theories to clinical case studies (PSYC 331) or by conducting an original research project with your classmates and instructor (PSYC 308).

Applied Psychology Core Courses

Course #TitleCredits
PSYC 101
Introduction to Psychological Science
4
STAT 118
Introductory Statistics
4
PSYC 201
Biological Psychology
4
PSYC 203
Research Methods in Psychology
4

Applied Psychology Additional Courses

In addition to your core Psychology courses, you will choose six additional courses:

  • At least three courses must be PSYC courses
  • At least one course must be a capstone PSYC course
  • The remaining three courses may be in disciplines outside of Psychology (e.g., Business, Sociology, Social Work), as listed below.
Course #TitleCredits
PSYC 231
Psychopathology and Mental Health
4
PSYC 235
Developmental Psychology
4
PSYC 244
Drugs and Behavior
4
PSYC 308
Research in Social Psychology, with lab (capstone course)
4
PSYC 331
Seminar in Clinical Psychology (capstone course)
4
BUS 230
Why We Buy
4
BUS 234
Organizational Communication & Behavior
4
SOCI 239
Introduction to Social Research
4
SOCI 241
Health, Illness, & Society
4
SOCI 249
Inequalities
4
SW 101
Introduction to Social Work and Social Welfare
4